ITANAGAR: The serene landscapes of Tawang District in Arunachal Pradesh have transformed into a winter wonderland, albeit with challenges as heavy snowfall blankets the region, disrupting traffic movement and leaving many stranded.
In response to the snowfall woes, Project Vartak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has launched a massive operation, deploying resources along crucial axes and bottlenecks like the Sela Pass, Y-Jn, Shungetsar, Klemta, and Zimithang Sector.
Their tireless efforts aim to keep the roads open for military convoys, local residents, and enthusiastic tourists flocking from the plains to experience the snow-covered vistas.
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The situation turned dire earlier this month when heavy snowfall near Sela Pass left around 30 trucks and passenger vehicles stranded along the picturesque Balipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) road.
Stranded truck drivers, facing a scarcity of food and drinking water, expressed their plight after being marooned for three days.
However, amidst the snowdrifts, the jawans of the Border Roads Organisation emerged as unsung heroes, providing essential supplies to those stranded, ensuring their survival in the harsh conditions.
Responding to the gravity of the situation, the Tawang district administration issued a traffic advisory on February 2, seeking to regulate traffic movement and alleviate congestion caused by continuous snowfall in the Sela Pass area.
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According to the advisory, traffic on the BCT road from the police check gate in Jang (Tawang) towards Sela Pass will be permitted on alternate dates starting from February 5, 7, 9, and 11, and continuing accordingly.
Similarly, traffic from West Kameng district will have access to Tawang district on alternate days starting from February 6, 8, 10, and 12.
Emergency service vehicles such as ambulances, and power and water supply vehicles, will be exempt from these restrictions, subject to weather and road conditions.
The advisory underscores the challenges posed by continuous snowfall, resulting in heavy accumulation on the BCT road from Jaswant Garh (Tawang) to Baisakhi in West Kameng district.
In a stern warning, the administration cautioned that any violation of the advisory would lead to prosecution as per the law.
